24-1101 Idaho Co Broadband Coalition Training Agenda
IC Broadband Coalition November 1, 2024 Minutes
IC Broadband Coalition December 4th Agenda
IC Broadband Coalition Minutes December 2024 – Draft

Project Overview: Idaho County was the recipient of a 2024 Capital Projects Fund grant supported by the District II Interoperability Governance Board (DIGB2) with match dollars and project support commitments provided by DIGB2 members and the cities of Nezperce and Grangeville. (DIGB2 is made up of the 5 counties in District 2 including Clearwater, Idaho, Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce as well as the Nez Perce Tribe.  Click Here for a map) The DIGB2 project includes the design and construction of a middle-mile fiber optic line from Grangeville to Orofino and last-mile fiber-to-the-premise in the City of Nezperce and provides benefits to all five counties in District 2.  When completed, this fiber path will help ensure the communication connectivity of northern and southern Idaho within state lines.

What does this mean? Fiber optic internet is a high-speed internet service that uses glass fibers to transmit data. “Middle-mile” refers to the connection of communities over distances, while “last-mile” service provides connections to individual end users.

How will this affect Idaho County? Idaho County encompasses 8,502 square miles and includes steep, rocky canyons that with terrain that makes connectivity/communication difficult. The middle-mile line will provide redundant, backup connectivity for the regional communication network utilized by emergency responders. It also creates opportunities to develop new, high-speed, last-mile connections along the route.

Who else is getting fiber? Multiple other projects have been funded in the region to support the growing need for high-speed internet service to conduct commerce, provide health care, and facilitate emergency response and communication.

View the route video to see a sample of the terrain along the DIGB2 project route.